College Preparation

A-G Requirements
The A-G requirements are the requirements a student needs to complete in order to be eligible for any University of California school and any California State University school. The student must complete the required courses with a "C" grade or higher. The requirements are:

A. History/Social Science (2 years)
B. English (4 years)
C. *Mathematics (3 years required, 4 recommended)
D. Laboratory Science (2 years required, 3 recommended)
E. *Foreign Language (2 years of the same language, 3 recommended)
F. College Preparatory Elective (1 year)
G. Visual and Performing Arts (1 year- effective for applicants for Fall 2003)

Courses with an * can be taken in the 7th and 8th grade. However, the student must receive a "C" in order to get credit. Each high school has its own University of California A-G certified course list that can be obtained at https://pathways2.ucop.edu/doorways/list

The student must verify that the classes taken are on the course list in order to obtain course credit.

PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, ACT


PSAT is the preliminary SAT and should be taken in the 9th- and 10th-grade years in order to practice for the SATs.

SAT I consists of verbal and mathematics sections. It should be taken in the 11th- and 12th-grade years. It can be taken as many times as possible since UC schools will accept the best overall score from the SAT I and the best individual score from the SAT II. The December test is the last test date that UC schools will accept for graduating seniors.

SAT II consists of writing, mathematics, and a third exam of your choice. It should be taken in the 11th- and 12th-grade years. It can be taken as many times as possible since UC schools will take the highest score. December is the last test date that UC schools will accept for graduating seniors.

ACT consists of 215 multiple-choice questions. The questions cover English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science Reasoning. The ACT can be taken instead of the SAT I to fulfill UC requirements.

UC Testing Requirements: The ACT can be taken instead of the SAT I depending on the student's higher test score. However, all three SAT II subject tests must be taken in order to be considered for admission.

* Students should ask their high school counselor about eligibility for a fee-waiver that will cover the cost of the tests.

** Students can prepare for these exams by buying a review course booklet like Kaplan or Princeton Review, attending test preparation workshops, and by familiarizing themselves with the test format.

Grade-Point Average


A high school student must have a strong college-weighted GPA in order to be competitive in the application process. Students are also encouraged to take honors and AP classes that are in the UC approved course list for their high school during their 10th- and 11th-grade years. The grades that they receive during these years are critical because these are the grade levels the UC schools focus on.

California Four-College System


The four-college system in California consists of the California Community Colleges (CCC), California State Universities (CSU), University of California schools (UC), and private universities.

California Community Colleges consist of 107 campuses that offer associate degrees and vocational certificates. There are no college entrance tests needed in the enrollment process.

The CSU system has 23 campuses that offer bachelor and master degrees. The prospective student must meet the A-G requirements. The ACT or the SAT I is required in most CSU schools.

The UC system has 9 campuses that offer bachelor, master, doctorate, and professional degrees. The prospective student must also meet the A-G requirements. The SAT I or ACT, and three SAT II exams are required.

The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) represents 76 California independent colleges and universities. These institutions work together to maintain the high standards of a private college education. They take pride in offering a personal touch with respect to admissions, teaching, and campus environment. At the same time, each campus has its own "uniqueness and individual character."